Turkish Military Operations In Northern Kurdistan

Source: Ozgur Politika web site, Neu-Isenburg, in Turkish 15 Jun 05

The People's Defence Forces Press and Liaison Centre (HPG BIM), in a statement regarding operations conducted in Genc, Kulp, and Lice, has denied the exaggerated reports that have appeared in the press. The statement indicated that the HPG forces have to date suffered no losses, and that the Turkish military has been seeking to camouflage its lack of success through false reports.

The HPG BIM statement contained the following information regarding the reports on the operation that have appeared in the Turkish media: "The TSK [Turkish Armed Forces], regarding the operation being conducted in the area encompassing the Hendik, Hegadere, Caytepe, Keltepe, Koztepe, Seytan Cliffs and Hidif areas of the Sehit Remzi region with participation by TSK forces from the Genc, Kulp and Lice districts, as well as Village Guards, has provided reports to the media to the effect that 'We destroyed three of the guerrillas' camps, and finished them off.' There is no factual basis to these reports. The TSK are trying to camouflage, with false reports, their own lack of success. The TSK forces, which have mobilized all their forces both from the air and on land, have not been able to inflict any casualties or losses against our guerrillas in the area."

Clash in Lice: One repentant and two soldiers wounded

In a clash that broke out in the rural area of the Lice district of Amed [Kurdish name for Diyarbakir] province, one 'repentant' and two soldiers were wounded, according to initial determinations.

It has been learned that, in the Sehit Remzi area in the rural area of Lice district, clashes have taken place in some places in an operation launched a while ago against HPG forces.

It has been learned that soldiers named Mehmet Duman, born in Maras, and Dursun Ali Yilmaz, born in Istanbul, as well as an individual in civilian clothes said to be a "repentant", were wounded in the clashes.

It is reported that the condition of the three individuals in question, who were taken by helicopter to the Diyarbakir Military Hospital the night before last, is serious. It has been learned that the region in the vicinity of the operation has been bombed by helicopters.

Buildup on border of south Kurdistan [north Iraq]

Meanwhile, it has been learned that a military buildup is taking place in the border area between the Silopi district of Sirnak and the Cukurca district of Hakkari, and that work to set up a mobile bridge over the Hezil river has been initiated by the troops.

It is reported that large numbers of troops have been deployed in the area near the Hezil river, on the border between Turkey and south Kurdistan. It is stated that in the region, in which approximately 2,000 troops from commando units from Bolu and Kayseri have been deployed, efforts to erect a mobile bridge over the Hezil river have been initiated.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a military convoy of 30 vehicles, reported to have come from the Kayseri Commando Brigade Command, moved to the area in question in the evening hours of the day before yesterday. In addition, it is also reported that the operation begun on 13 June by Turkish military units against HPG guerrillas in the Arnet are of Yedisu, in Bingol, is still underway.